After toppling Nadal, Djokovic hopes to be ready for Tsitsipas

(REUTERS) – After dethroning ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal at the French Open, Novak Djokovic will next face a first Grand Slam finalist in Stefanos Tsitsipas, as the world number one bids to become the first man to win all four Majors in the open era, at least twice.

Roy Emerson and Rod Laver are the only men to have won four Grand Slams on two or more occasions, but none has achieved the feat since 1968, when the sport allowed professional players to compete in the majors. .

A second trophy today at Roland Garros, following his 2016 win on red clay, will also give the 34-year-old Serbian his 19th Grand Slam title – one short of Nadal and Roger Federer’s men’s record.

His challenger will be 22 years old, who is bidding to become the first Greek to win a singles major.

Tsitsipas has long been marked out as a future Grand Slam champion and has already collected trophies from the season-ending ATP Finals and Masters 1000 tournaments.
But he reached the last-four stage three times in a Major before Friday’s semifinal, where he defeated US Open finalist Alexander Zverev in a thrilling five-set duel.

Greece’s first Grand Slam finalist will reach Court Philippe Chattier today with a 2-5 win-loss record against the Serbian, but will draw inspiration from the fact that he has a Tour-leading victory in 2021.

“I’m looking forward to that challenge,” Tsitsipas said Friday while awaiting his first major final.
“I’m looking forward to upping my game in a kind of challenge to take it forward.”

Anything less than his ‘A’ game will be enough for the Greek as he never managed to beat Djokovic on clay, although he did lead the Serbian to five sets in the semi-finals at the same venue last year.

The feelings of Friday’s resounding victory over 13-time French Open winner Nadal may leave a hangover for most players, but that may not be a problem for Djokovic with his incredible mental strength.

“This isn’t the first time I’m playing an epic semi-final at a Grand Slam and then I have to come back and play the final in less than 48 hours,” he said.
“My recovery ability is great, I must say, throughout my career … I know what to do.”

Djokovic was happy to rest a bit and enjoy a semifinal victory over his great rival, but would take nothing against the Greek.
The Serbian said, ‘He is in excellent form. “I think he’s matured a lot as a player. Clay (is) arguably his best surface.

“We played an epic five-setter in the semifinals here last year. Yes, I know it’s going to be a tough one.

“I hope to recharge my battery as much as I can because I will need some power and energy for that.”